Bangkok and the Kingdom of Siam

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure page for more details.

Last Updated on: 21st September 2021, 09:33 pm

</p> <div class="wp-block-group has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow" style="background-color:#f0f5f9"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="essential-travel-resources-for-2022"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="My_Favorite_Travel_Booking_Sites_for_2023"></span>My Favorite Travel Booking Sites for 2023<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>These are my favorite companies that I use on my own travels.</p> <p><strong>Protect Your Trip via <a href="https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=historyfangirl&utm_source=historyfangirl&utm_medium=Ambassador" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Safety Wing</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Find the best city tours, day tours, bus tours, & skip-the-line tickets on <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com?partner_id=IC159RL&cmp=TravelResourcesBox" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">GetYourGuide</a></strong> <strong>and</strong> <a href="https://tp.media/r?marker=323431&trs=133583&p=1922&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.viator.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow"><strong>Viato</strong>r</a>.</p> <p><strong>Find the best deals on hotels & vacation rentals on <a href="https://www.booking.com/index.en-gb.html?aid=1339889" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Booking.com</a></strong>.</p> <p><strong>For English-speaking private airport transfers, book through <a href="https://www.welcomepickups.com/?tap_a=26297-438366&tap_s=3543591-eb23d7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Welcome Pickups.</a></strong></p> <p><strong>For road trips and independent travel, rent a car through <a href="https://www.discovercars.com/?a_aid=oklahomawonders" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Discover Cars</a></strong>.</p> <p><strong>Find information and cruise reviews on <a href="https://tp.media/r?marker=323431&trs=133583&p=5259&u=https%3A%2F%2Fcruisecritic.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Cruise Critic.</a></strong></p> <p><strong>For packing and travel essentials order via <a href="https://amzn.to/2VL7GND" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Amazon</a></strong>.</p> <p><strong>Book an affordable family or romantic photography session on your trip through <a href="http://flytog.co/mQn52qP" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Flytographer</a></strong> <strong>(Use the code <a href="http://flytog.co/mQn52qP" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">HISTORYFANGIRL</a> for 10% off your first photoshoot).</strong></p> <p><strong>For travel guidebooks to have with you during your trip, I always pick one or two from <a href="https://amzn.to/3tVg4a4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Rick Steves</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/2VXmpoO" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Lonely Planet.</a></strong></p> </div></div> <p>In January I took a <a href="https://www.lifeofbrit.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-solo-female-travel-in-asia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">solo trip to Southeast Asia,</a> and—somewhat arbitrarily—I decided to make Bangkok, Thailand my first stop. Ever since being entranced by the famed musical <em>The King and I </em>as a kid, I’ve been fascinated with the Kingdom of Siam, and have been cognizant of the push and pull of tradition and colonization that Siam and so many countries have experienced. My guest today to talk about the history of Bangkok and Siam is Charles Kimball of the History of Southeast Asia podcast. Charles and I chat about how Bangkok became the capital of Siam, the role the Chakri Dynasty played in keeping the country independent for centuries, and how history and fiction collide in <em>The King and I</em>.</p> <p>[bctt tweet=”The history of Thailand is one of war, independence and modernization. Listen to this week’s episode of the #HistoryFangirl #podcast.” username=””]</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="i"></span> <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <div class="wp-block-image wp-image-7865"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" width="819" height="1024" src="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180106_144108-819x1024.jpg" alt="Wat Saket" class="wp-image-7865" srcset="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180106_144108.jpg 819w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180106_144108-240x300.jpg 240w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180106_144108-768x960.jpg 768w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/20180106_144108-44x55.jpg 44w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /><figcaption>Wat Saket</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="i-2"></span> <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="i-3"></span> <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="Siam_before_Bangkok"></span>Siam before Bangkok<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Charles told me that the Thais were first an ethnic minority in China, eventually moving south to form their own country. But even today there are still 12 million ethnic Thais in China, a population size larger than most countries. As Charles says, you don’t hear about the Thai as a people until around 1000 A.D., and the Thais were actually an ethnic minority in their own country until about 1350 A.D. And when the Thais migrated to their own country, they had cast off much of their Chinese identity, and fully embraced Buddhism. But it wasn’t all smooth going. In the early days there were three capitals, and it wouldn’t be until King Ram Khamhaeng became king that Siam, and Thailand, as we know it would form.</p> <p>[bctt tweet=”What was the kingdom of Siam like before Bangkok? And how did the country’s embrace of Buddhism shape it? #HistoryFangirl ” username=””]</p> <div class="wp-block-image wp-image-7820"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" src="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_1110-819x1024.jpg" alt="Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)" class="wp-image-7820" srcset="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_1110.jpg 819w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_1110-240x300.jpg 240w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_1110-768x960.jpg 768w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_1110-44x55.jpg 44w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /><figcaption>Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="24_wars_in_350_years"></span>24 wars in 350 years<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>Like many nations, Siam’s early history is marked by war and battles to stave off invaders. The kingdom was unified in the middle of the 15th century, but through the 16th century, Siam was often locked in a three-way battle with Laos and Burma. It was at the end of the 16th century that Naresuan came to power, and to this day Thais consider him their greatest king because of his campaigns against Burma. And by the middle of the 18th century, Thailand and Burma were waring constantly. As George tells me in this episode, the two countries fought 24 wars in the span of 350 years. And in 1782, after finding their cities laid to waste by war, the Thais moved their capital to Bangkok.</p> <p>[bctt tweet=”Burma and Thailand spent 350 years fighting 24 wars. And that was just against each other. #HistoryFangirl” username=””]</p> <div class="wp-block-image wp-image-7779"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" src="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0898-819x1024.jpg" alt="Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara" class="wp-image-7779" srcset="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0898.jpg 819w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0898-240x300.jpg 240w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0898-768x960.jpg 768w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0898-44x55.jpg 44w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /><figcaption>Buddha at Wat Mahathat</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="Independence_of_Thailand"></span>Independence of Thailand<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>One of the most fascinating aspects of the Kingdom of Siam and Thailand was how it was able to resist colonization. While many countries in Southeast Asia, like Cambodia and Vietnam, where colonized wholly by foreign powers, for centuries Siam and Thailand has been able to remain independent (though of course, not without foreign influence). Charles chalks it up to the country’s mastery of diplomacy. While many other countries fell under foreign powers, Thailand has always been able to maintain strong relationships with other countries while maintaining control of their land. As Charles says, that makes them the “most successful” country in the region.</p> <p>[bctt tweet=”How is it that Thailand remained free of colonization while neighboring countries fell under foreign rule? #HistoryFangirl” username=””]</p> <div class="wp-block-image wp-image-7782"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" src="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0999-819x1024.jpg" alt="At the Temple of the Emerald Buddha" class="wp-image-7782" srcset="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0999.jpg 819w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0999-240x300.jpg 240w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0999-768x960.jpg 768w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_0999-44x55.jpg 44w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /><figcaption>At the Temple of the Emerald Buddha</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="i-4"></span> <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="The_real_history_behind_The_King_and_I"></span>The real history behind The King and I<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <p>No discussion of Thai history and royalty would be complete without a look at the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I. Now the stage play is not well-liked in Thailand, but it is based on the real King Mongkut, and Anna Leonowens. Mongkut had established himself as a reformer with his work in the Buddhist monastery, and asked Leonowens to provide a secular education to his children. Charles points out some other characters that were important to the country as it tried to modernize, heading into the 20th century. Thailand is an amazing place, with a rich history that is all the more remarkable for the way it’s been able to maintain its independence. If you’re interested in visiting Thailand, and want to know the story behind what you find there today, you have to listen to this week’s episode.</p> <p>[bctt tweet=”Want to know the real history behind The King and I? Listen to this week’s #HistoryFangirl #podcast.” username=””]</p> <div class="wp-block-image wp-image-7780"><figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" src="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_1042-819x1024.jpg" alt="The Grand Palace in Bangkok" class="wp-image-7780" srcset="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_1042.jpg 819w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_1042-240x300.jpg 240w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_1042-768x960.jpg 768w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DSC_1042-44x55.jpg 44w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /><figcaption>The Grand Palace in Bangkok</figcaption></figure></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="Outline_of_This_Episode"></span>Outline of This Episode<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ul><li>[2:04] How Charles became interested in Southeast Asia</li><li>[6:19] Siam before Bangkok</li><li>[12:46] After Ram Kamphaeng</li><li>[16:30] How Bangkok becomes the center of the kingdom</li><li>[21:53] Bangkok’s early days</li><li>[26:15] The dynasty after Rama I</li><li>[30:49] The historical roots of The King and I</li><li>[36:48] Thailand into the 20th century</li><li>[39:27] Thailand in World War I</li><li>[47:58] Where does Thailand go from here?</li></ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="i-5"></span> <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="Resources_Mentioned"></span>Resources Mentioned<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ul><li><a href="https://www.blubrry.com/hoseasia/">The History of Southeast Asia Podcast</a></li><li><a href="https://www.blubrry.com/hoseasia/21446673/episode-16-the-elephant-wars-part-2/">The Elephant Wars Episode</a></li><li><a href="https://historyfangirl.com/temples-in-bangkok/">The 8 Temples in Bangkok You Absolutely Need to See</a></li><li><a href="https://www.thegayglobetrotter.com/thailand-travel-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Thailand Travel Guide</a></li></ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="i-6"></span> <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="Connect_With_Stephanie"></span>Connect With Stephanie<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <ul><li><a href="mailto:stephanie@historyfangirl.com">stephanie@historyfangirl.com</a></li><li><a href="https://historyfangirl.com">https://historyfangirl.com</a></li><li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/historyfangirl">Support Stephanie on Patreon</a></li></ul> <p><em>Featuring the song “Places Unseen” by Lee Rosevere.</em></p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="Pin_This_For_Your_Trip_to_Thailand"></span>Pin This For Your Trip to Thailand<span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11400" src="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Best-Temples-in-Bangkok-Thailand-2.png" alt="Bangkok and the Kingdom of Siam" width="600" height="900" srcset="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Best-Temples-in-Bangkok-Thailand-2.png 600w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Best-Temples-in-Bangkok-Thailand-2-200x300.png 200w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Best-Temples-in-Bangkok-Thailand-2-37x55.png 37w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></h2> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span class="ez-toc-section" id="i-7"></span> <span class="ez-toc-section-end"></span></h2> <div id="ez-toc-container" class="ez-toc-v2_0_54 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction"> <div class="ez-toc-title-container"> <p class="ez-toc-title " >In this Article:</p> <span class="ez-toc-title-toggle"><a href="#" class="ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle" aria-label="Toggle Table of Content" role="button"><label for="item-651d53c914080" ><span class=""><span style="display:none;">Toggle</span><span class="ez-toc-icon-toggle-span"><svg style="fill: #999;color:#999" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="list-377408" width="20px" height="20px" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none"><path d="M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z" fill="currentColor"></path></svg><svg style="fill: #999;color:#999" class="arrow-unsorted-368013" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="10px" height="10px" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.2" baseProfile="tiny"><path d="M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z"/></svg></span></span></label><input aria-label="Toggle" aria-label="item-651d53c914080" type="checkbox" id="item-651d53c914080"></a></span></div> <nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1" href="#My_Favorite_Travel_Booking_Sites_for_2023" title="My Favorite Travel Booking Sites for 2023">My Favorite Travel Booking Sites for 2023</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2" href="#i" title=" "> </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3" href="#i-2" title=" "> </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4" href="#i-3" title=" "> </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5" href="#Siam_before_Bangkok" title="Siam before Bangkok">Siam before Bangkok</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6" href="#24_wars_in_350_years" title="24 wars in 350 years">24 wars in 350 years</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7" href="#Independence_of_Thailand" title="Independence of Thailand">Independence of Thailand</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8" href="#i-4" title=" "> </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9" href="#The_real_history_behind_The_King_and_I" title="The real history behind The King and I">The real history behind The King and I</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10" href="#Outline_of_This_Episode" title="Outline of This Episode">Outline of This Episode</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11" href="#i-5" title=" "> </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12" href="#Resources_Mentioned" title="Resources Mentioned">Resources Mentioned</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13" href="#i-6" title=" "> </a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14" href="#Connect_With_Stephanie" title="Connect With Stephanie">Connect With Stephanie</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15" href="#Pin_This_For_Your_Trip_to_Thailand" title="Pin This For Your Trip to Thailand">Pin This For Your Trip to Thailand</a></li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class="ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16" href="#i-7" title=" "> </a></li></ul></nav></div> <div style="clear:both; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:1em;"><a href="https://historyfangirl.com/jokes-about-thailand-puns/" target="_blank" rel="dofollow" class="IRPP_ruby"><style> .IRPP_ruby , .IRPP_ruby .postImageUrl , .IRPP_ruby .centered-text-area { height: auto; position: relative; } .IRPP_ruby , .IRPP_ruby:hover , .IRPP_ruby:visited , .IRPP_ruby:active { border:0!important; } .IRPP_ruby .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .IRPP_ruby { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .IRPP_ruby:active , .IRPP_ruby:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #34495E; } .IRPP_ruby .postImageUrl { background-position: center; background-size: cover; float: left; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 31.59%; position: absolute; top: 0; bottom: 0; } .IRPP_ruby .centered-text-area { float: right; width: 65.65%; padding:0; margin:0; } .IRPP_ruby .centered-text { display: table; height: 130px; left: 0; top: 0; padding:0; margin:0; padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 20px; } .IRPP_ruby .IRPP_ruby-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0 74px 0 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .IRPP_ruby .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #3498DB; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: .125em; margin: 0; padding: 0; } .IRPP_ruby .postTitle { color: #ECF0F1; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; } .IRPP_ruby .ctaButton { background: url(https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts-pro/assets/images/next-arrow.png)no-repeat; background-color: inherit; background-position: center; display: inline-block; height: 100%; width: 54px; margin-left: 10px; position: absolute; bottom:0; right: 0; top: 0; } .IRPP_ruby:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } </style><div class="postImageUrl" style="background-image:url(https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/shutterstock_232801669-300x200.jpg);"></div><div class="centered-text-area"><div class="centered-text"><div class="IRPP_ruby-content"><div class="ctaText" style="float:left;">See also</div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="postTitle" style="float:left;">50 Thailand Puns & Jokes for Thailand Instagram Captions</div></div></div><div class="ctaButton"></div></div></a></div> </div> <footer class="entry-meta" aria-label="Entry meta"> <span class="cat-links"><span class="gp-icon icon-categories"><svg viewBox="0 0 512 512" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="1em" height="1em"><path d="M0 112c0-26.51 21.49-48 48-48h110.014a48 48 0 0143.592 27.907l12.349 26.791A16 16 0 00228.486 128H464c26.51 0 48 21.49 48 48v224c0 26.51-21.49 48-48 48H48c-26.51 0-48-21.49-48-48V112z" /></svg></span><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="https://historyfangirl.com/category/podcast-episode/" rel="category tag">The History Fangirl Podcast</a></span> <span class="tags-links"><span class="gp-icon icon-tags"><svg viewBox="0 0 512 512" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="1em" height="1em"><path d="M20 39.5c-8.836 0-16 7.163-16 16v176c0 4.243 1.686 8.313 4.687 11.314l224 224c6.248 6.248 16.378 6.248 22.626 0l176-176c6.244-6.244 6.25-16.364.013-22.615l-223.5-224A15.999 15.999 0 00196.5 39.5H20zm56 96c0-13.255 10.745-24 24-24s24 10.745 24 24-10.745 24-24 24-24-10.745-24-24z"/><path d="M259.515 43.015c4.686-4.687 12.284-4.687 16.97 0l228 228c4.686 4.686 4.686 12.284 0 16.97l-180 180c-4.686 4.687-12.284 4.687-16.97 0-4.686-4.686-4.686-12.284 0-16.97L479.029 279.5 259.515 59.985c-4.686-4.686-4.686-12.284 0-16.97z" /></svg></span><span class="screen-reader-text">Tags </span><a href="https://historyfangirl.com/tag/thailand/" rel="tag">thailand</a></span> </footer> </div> </article> <div class="comments-area"> <div id="comments"> <div id="respond" class="comment-respond"> <h3 id="reply-title" class="comment-reply-title">Leave a Comment <small><a rel="nofollow" id="cancel-comment-reply-link" href="/bangkok-kingdom-siam/#respond" style="display:none;">Cancel reply</a></small></h3><form action="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-comments-post.php" method="post" id="commentform" class="comment-form" novalidate><p class="comment-form-comment"><label for="comment" class="screen-reader-text">Comment</label><textarea id="comment" name="comment" cols="45" rows="8" required></textarea></p><label for="author" class="screen-reader-text">Name</label><input placeholder="Name *" id="author" name="author" type="text" value="" size="30" required /> <label for="email" class="screen-reader-text">Email</label><input placeholder="Email *" id="email" name="email" type="email" value="" size="30" required /> <label for="url" class="screen-reader-text">Website</label><input placeholder="Website" id="url" name="url" type="url" value="" size="30" /> <p class="form-submit"><input name="submit" type="submit" id="submit" class="submit" value="Post Comment" /> <input type='hidden' name='comment_post_ID' value='8152' id='comment_post_ID' /> <input type='hidden' name='comment_parent' id='comment_parent' value='0' /> </p></form> </div> </div> </div> </main> </div> <div class="widget-area sidebar is-right-sidebar" id="right-sidebar"> <div class="inside-right-sidebar"> <aside id="text-3" class="widget inner-padding widget_text"><h2 class="widget-title">Hi, I’m Stephanie!</h2> <div class="textwidget"><figure id="attachment_38200" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38200" style="width: 2190px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-38200 size-full" src="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Travel-Writer-Stephanie-Craig-in-Porto-Portugal.-Photo-by-Luis-in-Porto-for-Flytographer-Square.jpeg" alt="Travel Writer Stephanie Craig in Porto, Portugal. Photo by Luis in Porto for Flytographer" width="2200" height="2200" srcset="https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Travel-Writer-Stephanie-Craig-in-Porto-Portugal.-Photo-by-Luis-in-Porto-for-Flytographer-Square.jpeg 1024w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Travel-Writer-Stephanie-Craig-in-Porto-Portugal.-Photo-by-Luis-in-Porto-for-Flytographer-Square-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Travel-Writer-Stephanie-Craig-in-Porto-Portugal.-Photo-by-Luis-in-Porto-for-Flytographer-Square-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Travel-Writer-Stephanie-Craig-in-Porto-Portugal.-Photo-by-Luis-in-Porto-for-Flytographer-Square-768x768.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 2200px) 100vw, 2200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-38200" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Luis in Porto for <a href="http://flytog.co/mQn52qP" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Flytographer</strong></a></figcaption></figure> <p>An amateur historian and travel enthusiast, I travel around the world full-time visiting historic sites: hidden chapels, Communist monuments, ancient cities, religious relics, national parks, or any place that is beautiful, interesting, or weird. <a href="https://historyfangirl.com/about">READ MORE</a></p> </div> </aside><aside id="search-2" class="widget inner-padding widget_search"><form method="get" class="search-form" action="https://historyfangirl.com/"> <label> <span class="screen-reader-text">Search for:</span> <input type="search" class="search-field" placeholder="Search …" value="" name="s" title="Search for:"> </label> <button class="search-submit" aria-label="Search"><span class="gp-icon icon-search"><svg viewBox="0 0 512 512" aria-hidden="true" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="1em" height="1em"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M208 48c-88.366 0-160 71.634-160 160s71.634 160 160 160 160-71.634 160-160S296.366 48 208 48zM0 208C0 93.125 93.125 0 208 0s208 93.125 208 208c0 48.741-16.765 93.566-44.843 129.024l133.826 134.018c9.366 9.379 9.355 24.575-.025 33.941-9.379 9.366-24.575 9.355-33.941-.025L337.238 370.987C301.747 399.167 256.839 416 208 416 93.125 416 0 322.875 0 208z" /></svg></span></button></form> </aside><aside id="block-5" class="widget inner-padding widget_block"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Latest Posts</h2> </aside><aside id="block-6" class="widget inner-padding widget_block widget_recent_entries"><ul class="wp-block-latest-posts__list wp-block-latest-posts"><li><a class="wp-block-latest-posts__post-title" href="https://historyfangirl.com/cancun-to-chiquila-mexico-by-bus-shuttle-taxi/">3 Ways to Get from Cancun to Chiquila Ranked from Easiest to Hardest</a></li> <li><a class="wp-block-latest-posts__post-title" href="https://historyfangirl.com/best-things-to-do-in-washington-state-bucket-list/">50 Fabulous Things to Do in Washington State: Bucket List & Beyond!</a></li> <li><a class="wp-block-latest-posts__post-title" href="https://historyfangirl.com/best-midwest-tourist-attractions-usa/">17 Fabulous Midwest Tourist Attractions You Need to See</a></li> <li><a class="wp-block-latest-posts__post-title" href="https://historyfangirl.com/how-to-visit-camel-rock-santa-fe-new-mexico/">How to Visit Camel Rock: A Popular Santa Fe Roadside Attraction Near Tesque, NM</a></li> <li><a class="wp-block-latest-posts__post-title" href="https://historyfangirl.com/ancient-polygonal-walls/">10 Places with Ancient Polygonal Walls Around the World that You Can Visit</a></li> </ul></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="site-footer grid-container footer-bar-active footer-bar-align-center"> <footer class="site-info" aria-label="Site" itemtype="https://schema.org/WPFooter" itemscope> <div class="inside-site-info grid-container"> <div class="footer-bar"> <aside id="text-22" class="widget inner-padding widget_text"> <div class="textwidget"><p>As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. History Fangirl is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Read the site’s full Privacy & Disclosure policy <a href="https://historyfangirl.com/work-with-me/privacy-disclosure-policies">here</a>.</p> <p>Check out my <a href="https://sofiaadventures.com">Balkan Travel Blog</a> + <a href="https://oklahomawonders.com">Oklahoma Travel Blog</a></p> </div> </aside> </div> <div class="copyright-bar"> <span class="copyright">© 2023 History Fangirl</span> • Built with <a href="https://generatepress.com" itemprop="url">GeneratePress</a> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <script async src="https://snippet.affilimate.io"></script><script id="generate-a11y">!function(){"use strict";if("querySelector"in document&&"addEventListener"in window){var e=document.body;e.addEventListener("mousedown",function(){e.classList.add("using-mouse")}),e.addEventListener("keydown",function(){e.classList.remove("using-mouse")})}}();</script><script src='https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/plugins/gp-premium/menu-plus/functions/js/sticky.min.js?ver=2.1.2' id='generate-sticky-js'></script> <script src='https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/plugins/coblocks/dist/js/coblocks-animation.js?ver=3.1.3' id='coblocks-animation-js'></script> <script src='https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/plugins/coblocks/dist/js/vendors/tiny-swiper.js?ver=3.1.3' id='coblocks-tiny-swiper-js'></script> <script id='coblocks-tinyswiper-initializer-js-extra'> var coblocksTinyswiper = {"carouselPrevButtonAriaLabel":"Previous","carouselNextButtonAriaLabel":"Next","sliderImageAriaLabel":"Image"}; </script> <script src='https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/plugins/coblocks/dist/js/coblocks-tinyswiper-initializer.js?ver=3.1.3' id='coblocks-tinyswiper-initializer-js'></script> <script src='https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/plugins/easy-table-of-contents/vendor/js-cookie/js.cookie.min.js?ver=2.2.1' id='ez-toc-js-cookie-js'></script> <script src='https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/plugins/easy-table-of-contents/vendor/sticky-kit/jquery.sticky-kit.min.js?ver=1.9.2' id='ez-toc-jquery-sticky-kit-js'></script> <script id='ez-toc-js-js-extra'> var ezTOC = {"smooth_scroll":"1","visibility_hide_by_default":"1","scroll_offset":"30","fallbackIcon":"<span class=\"\"><span style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span>"}; </script> <script src='https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/plugins/easy-table-of-contents/assets/js/front.min.js?ver=2.0.54-1693332047' id='ez-toc-js-js'></script>  <script id='generate-menu-js-extra'> var generatepressMenu = {"toggleOpenedSubMenus":"1","openSubMenuLabel":"Open Sub-Menu","closeSubMenuLabel":"Close Sub-Menu"}; </script> <script src='https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/themes/generatepress/assets/js/menu.min.js?ver=3.2.4' id='generate-menu-js'></script> <script id='generate-navigation-search-js-extra'> var generatepressNavSearch = {"open":"Open Search Bar","close":"Close Search Bar"}; </script> <script src='https://historyfangirl.com/wp-content/themes/generatepress/assets/js/navigation-search.min.js?ver=3.2.4' id='generate-navigation-search-js'></script> <script src='https://historyfangirl.com/wp-includes/js/comment-reply.min.js?ver=6.3.1' id='comment-reply-js'></script> </body> </html>